Bloomberg: I oppose legalizing marijuana

Friday

Feb 15, 2013 at 9:30 AM

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Mayor Michael Bloomberg says he opposes legalizing marijuana — or any other illicit drug.

Bloomberg discussed the issue on his weekly WOR Radio show Friday. A day earlier, he said New York City plans to stop booking and arraigning many people arrested on low-level marijuana-possession charges.

Bloomberg says he opposes legalizing marijuana because it's stronger than it used to be. He added that if marijuana were legal, those dealers would just start selling something else, like cocaine.

He says the policy change that takes place next month will ease congestion in courts and jails.

People who get picked up on charges of having a small amount of marijuana will be released with desk appearance tickets if they have ID and no open warrants.